According to the NTMWD, water that has already been treated by the plant is safe, however, those who use private drinking water supplies such as wells that are located within a 1/2 mile of the spill site should distill or boil their water before use.

"We are putting the booms in place, we're doing the testing and if there's corrective action needed we'll take that action," Rickman said.

People should avoid contact with the discharged waste material in the lake and if anyone has come in contact with the material, they are advised to bathe and wash their clothes thoroughly and as soon as possible.